Breed Info

It is SO easy to fall in love with the majesty and beauty of the Alaskan Malamute, however they are not an easy dog to live with and require A LOT of time, love and attention. Any responsible breeder will want their puppies to go to the best homes possible, we all love our dogs and their happiness is of paramount concern, a bad match is detrimental to the dog and to the owner. Please, no matter what breed or wherever you decide to get your puppy, get it from someone who really cares what happens to it, not someone who just wants your money. You can bet they didn’t put any care into breeding the pup if they don’t care what happens to it.

Here are some points you should consider before making the life long commitment to love a malamute:

• If I have not owned a malamute before, I have researched the breed thoroughly and know that they are high-maintenance dogs requiring lots of grooming, exercise and training. I have the considerable time, patience and resources to commit to raising an Alaskan Malamute puppy.

• I understand that if my malamute does not receive the physical exercise and mental stimulation it needs, it will probably destroy my home and yard.

• I understand that malamutes need a very firm, but patient, hand. I have the patience and stamina to repeatedly engage in contests of willpower with a large, powerful animal without becoming angry.

• I do not have a problem with copious amounts of dog hair, nor even blizzards of it.

• I have the time to brush my malamute at least twice weekly and am able to bathe (wash and DRY) the dog myself or pay for a professional groomer to do so. I know that a puppy has to be gently taught to accept this, along with regular nail trimming.

• I am willing to educate myself in the most recent developments in puppy raising and training.

• I have a (real, visible) fenced yard.

• I also understand that overfeeding my dog hugely increases odds that they will suffer from lymphoma, kidney disease, heart failure, and most of all hip dysplasia. Food is not a substitute for love, exercise or attention!

• I can afford to pay for any reasonable veterinary care my dog will require, both on an annual basis and in event of an emergency.

• I understand that although mals love kids, they can be boisterous and difficult for little ones to handle and that the more children I have, the greater the risk of injury to one of them, so I will trust the breeder to decide if a mal is a good match for my family.

• No one in my family is allergic to dogs.

• Everyone in my family wants a (large) dog.

• I am willing to sign a contract requiring me to spay/neuter my pet-quality puppy or am willing to co-own a show-quality puppy.

• I am willing to sign a contract that does not allow me to sell or give away the dog I adopt from this breeder without contacting her first and giving her the right of first refusal.

If you can honestly answer “yes” to all of these statements, then please contact me, The Alaskan Malamute Club of The United Kingdom or the Kennel Club for more information on the Alaskan Malamute, availability of puppies and breeding programs. If not, please continue your search until you find a breed that is more suited to your lifestyle. A puppy is a huge investment of your time and money and energy and love. Again, a bad match is heartbreaking for everyone concerned and it is the innocent, non-decision makers who suffer the most. There are many good resources and web-sites to help you find the right dog. (Courtesy of Windchaser Alaskan Malamutes)